Washington to fund more non-armed vehicle pursuit technology for law enforcement; ‘It’s concerning’: Firefighters gear up after early drought declared in Washington

AGRICULTURE

• WA Dept. of Ecology highlight agricultural concerns amid statewide drought declaration (KEPR TV)
• USDA Rural Development announce Farm Labor Housing funding for WA & OR communities (KEPR TV)
• Bird flu in cattle stressing Northwest dairy operators (NW News Network)

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

• Unveiling the power of AI integration in Wenatchee’s business landscape (The Wenatchee World)

COMMUNITY & FAMILY ISSUES

• Summer grocery program to feed WA kids launching soon (Washington State Standard)

CONGRESS

• Here’s how Johnson’s jigsaw puzzle of a foreign aid plan would work (The New York Times/The Seattle Times)

COURTS (STATE)

• City public defenders office files over 200 motions to disqualify Judge Gloria Ochoa-Bruck from cases (The Spokesman-Review)
• Grant County Community Court reaches first year (Columbia Basin Herald)
• Unjust use of force or self-defense? Attorneys present opening arguments in trial of Vancouver police Officer Andrea Mendoza (The Columbian)

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

• Authorities hoping new WA law will deter converter theft (KONA Radio)
• Mulitple King County Motel 6’s being sued for allegedly allowing sex trafficking (MyNorthwest)
• Tacoma crime-plan update shows drop in violence. Some see ‘discrepancies’ between the numbers and reality (The News Tribune)
• Raids in Eastern Washington target Norteño prison gang and drug trafficking (Yakima Herald-Republic)
• Violent prison gang accused of running cockfighting ring in eastern Washington (KING TV)

DRUG CRISIS

• Annual report shows significant changes in drug trends and enforcement in Grant County (Source One News)

EDUCATION

• Arlington school breaks barriers one vending machine meal at a time (MyNorthwest)
• Parents hope intent to sue notice brings change to Sunnyside School District (KNDO/KNDU)

ENERGY & UTILITIES

• Despite petitions, federal regulators approve construction on expanded Northwest gas pipeline (Oregon Capital Chronicle/Washington State Standard)
• EFSEC sends Horse Heaven power project to Inslee (Capital Press)
• Energy efficiency programs in Walla Walla draw visit from Gov. Jay Inslee (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & THE WHITE HOUSE

• Department of Justice launching carjacking task force in Seattle (KING TV)
• Biden’s new Title IX rules protect LGBTQ+ students, but transgender sports rule still on hold (AP)
• Biden administration restricts oil and gas leasing in 13 million acres of Alaska’s petroleum reserve (AP)

GUN RIGHTS

• WA Supreme Court Commissioner hears arguments for, against stay on high-capacity magazine ban (The Bellingham Herald)

HEALTH CARE & HOSPITALS

• PeaceHealth nurses picket Vancouver hospital, demanding safe staffing and fair wages (The Columbian)

HIGHER EDUCATION

• How UW investigates sexual assault allegations (The Seattle Times)
• UW attempts to restructure Husky Stadium debt as Big Ten move looms (The Seattle Times)
• Central professor mistaken as homeless woman by coworker (Daily Record)
• EDITORIAL: UW must take action after protesters vandalize property, intimidate students (The Seattle Times)

HOMELESSNESS

• Two King County cities get $3 million to expand homeless shelters (The Seattle Times)
• Would regional approach work better to address homelessness? Local effort is underway (The News Tribune)
• Traction builds for regional approach to homelessness in Pierce County (KOMO TV)

HOUSING

• Average mortgage rate climbs to highest level since late November (AP/The Oregonian)
• COLUMN: Most Seattle-area renters report big rent hikes in the past 12 months (Gene Balk/The Seattle Times)
• EDITORIAL: It’s hard to predict an unpredictable future (The Columbian)

LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Washington to fund more non-armed vehicle pursuit technology for law enforcement (The Center Square)
• State Auditor: transparency needed in Washington police asset forfeiture (The Center Square)
• Public memorial for Deputy Jason Gregory in Montesano on April 21; expect large law enforcement presence (KXRO Radio)
• Renton Police offer ‘one of the highest’ signing bonuses at $40,000 to compete for experienced officers (FOX 13)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

• Seattle mayor to push for quicker demolition of ‘public nuisance’ buildings (The Seattle Times)
• Spokane joins lawsuit against ‘forever’ chemical manufacturers (The Center Square)
• Whatcom County paid $225K to settle sexual harassment complaints (Cascade PBS)
• Palestinian supporters demand Ellensburg call for ceasefire in Gaza at council meeting (Daily Record)

MILITARY & VETERANS

• JBLM doctor faces judge in one of the largest sexual assault cases in Army history (FOX 13)

OTHER STATES

• Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has a new leadership team after several of her top aides left (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Nearly 200 people killed in Portland traffic crashes since 2021, reports says (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

REDISTRICTING

• OPINION: Courts tossed a redistricting map that elected a Latina to protect the Hispanic vote (Deanna Martinez, deputy mayor of the city of Moses Lake and chair of Mainstream Republicans of Washington /Tri-City Herald)

SCHOOL SAFETY

• Lawsuit alleges Central Valley School District failed to protect teen from teacher’s ‘sexually predatory behavior’ (The Spokesman-Review)
• Elementary school teacher in Pierce County arrested for child molestation (FOX 13)

TECHNOLOGY

• New $20 million technology center opens in Richland (KAPP/KVEW)

TRANSPORTATION

• Seattle traffic injuries are increasing despite efforts to improve traffic safety (The Center Square)
• North Cascades Highway will open for year April 19 (Washington State Standard)

WILDFIRE PREVENTION & RESPONSE

• ‘It’s concerning’: Firefighters gear up after early drought declared in Washington (KOMO TV)
• In focus: Washington DNR prepares for wildfire season with mock fire exercises in Capitol Forest (The Chronicle)

WILDLIFE

• Common ground on grizzly recovery? (The Lewiston Tribune)
• Federal agencies release final environmental impact statement on grizzly restoration (Skagit Valley Herald)
• Methow researchers marvel at WA wolverines’ existence — and elusiveness (The Seattle Times)
• OPINION: As climate changes and development spreads, WA wildlife needs more help (Heidi Wills, CEO of PAWS, and Rep. Strom Peterson/The Seattle Times)